Children

Children say: "Thank you for making me feel happier.""I held a spider with my sister. It tickled me but I didn't mind.""He's got so much more confidence with others and he really does seem happier in himself.""I did my special breathing, rubbed my fingers together like you showed me, and I just got up and sang in front of my whole class." "I stroked my Uncle's dog on Saturday and it was nice." "I don't say that "I don't want to go to school" because I really want to go now." "Thank you for helping me stop being scared of the dark.""I went upstairs on my own for the first time last night. I wasn't even frightened."

Parents say:“Wonders of wonders, he did his homework yesterday with no moaning! He is so much happier. Thank you so much.”​"She has fallen asleep on her own with your recording since we saw you.""I just wanted to say thank you so much for the session. He is noticeably happier and less anxious and also finding to much easier to get to sleep. It really has made a huge difference.""You must be a magician, he is so much happier ""It's [one session] had such a dramatic effect. She is sleeping better and is generally happier and perkier.""Dry bed for two weeks and counting! I am so pleased!""It's as if G is more in control of his emotions. He still gets angry and upset but manages to talk about how is feeling rather than lashing out. The positive effects have been felt by all the family - we are a much happier household.""R is so much more confident. He recited a poem to his whole class last week and has a part in the upcoming school play. All of these things would have been impossible to imagine six months ago." "R is happy to go to school, even excited. It's such a relief. I can't thank you enough.""S seems so much happier. He is laughing and playing with his friends and sister again. He doesn't seem to be worrying so much about things. Thank you."

Children respond enormously well to hypnotherapy, accustomed as they are to frequent day dreaming and using their imagination. For example, younger children respond especially well to story telling using metaphor, and older children to using their imagination in guided visualisation.

Why it works:

Children have such creative imaginations, spending much of their day imagining different scenarios, playing make believe, acting out characters and role playing.

They find it easy to enter a light trance which is simply the same sort of day-dreaming state they dip in and out of for much of the day. It is in this state that their minds are extremely receptive to positive suggestion in hypnosis and they can effectively come up with their own solutions to problems.

With younger children the session might simply consist of a chat, some imagination work and a story.

Older children are often happy to close their eyes and be guided in visualisation exercises. The process is gentle, positive and enjoyable.

In all cases, there is an emphasis on boosting confidence and self esteem, on empowering the child to make positive changes in their lives - for the child to move forward and feel happier.

​How it works

Sessions vary enormously depending on the character and age of the child, and the nature of the problem. They tend to be a little shorter for young children, perhaps 40-50 minutes. The child will be given a short recording of the hypnosis (this may simply be a 10 minute story or relaxation exercise) and "homework" to listen to the recording.

Parents are welcome to sit in on the whole session, or part of the session, but should be aware that the focus will be very much on the child and his or her emotions. Parents are, of course, then welcome to speak to me directly. ​